Better Internet for Kids

Children and young people increasingly rely on digital technologies for learning, socialising, and everyday activities. An estimated 1 in 3 internet users is a child, which means that young people are spending a lot of their time online browsing social media, playing online games, or generally using apps, possibly without adult supervision. While the internet offers intrinsic benefits and opportunities for growth and creativity, it also increases exposure to online risks.

Several countries, including French-speaking Belgium, are considering banning the use of social media for children and teens under the age of 15. Social media is often cited as the main cause of cyberbullying and, more broadly, mental health issues among young people. It is therefore seen as something children need to be protected from. However, three recent position papers from Betternet partners (the Belgian Safer Internet Centre) Child Focus, Média Animation, the Conseil Supérieur de l’Éducation aux Médias (CSEM), and Mediawijs, point in the same direction: a ban is not the right solution.

INCIBE, part of the Spanish Safer Internet Centre, has developed family agreements for the proper use of devices within the family. This useful tool supports families in their mediation for a safer and responsible use of the internet by their children and teenagers.

It promotes family conversations on several hot topics for child online safety as screen time, parental controls, mobile-free zones, privacy and security options.

This is a useful tool to support teachers and educators in promoting a safer and responsible use of the internet at school.

These posters are designed to be shown at the computer lab, or any other classroom where there are devices to be used.

The main one includes key tips for safety and security. There are 5 additional posters with specific tips on:

These time vouchers are a useful tool to support families in their mediation for a safer and responsible use of the internet by their children and teenagers.

It promotes responsibility and family conversations on screen time and disconnecting.

The vouchers are designed for parents and caregivers to give to young people with a specific time assigned (i.e. 30 minutes) and for a specific type of device use (videogames, social networks, movies and series). 

Kids need to act responsibly, disconnecting on time and giving the voucher back to their parents.

To mark Safer Internet Day (SID) 2025, INCIBE (part of the Spanish Safer Internet Centre), through Internet Segura for Kids (IS4K), organised a hybrid event (online and in-person) from Valencia. The event featured the workshop “Think, Connect, and Choose Your Path Online”, developed in collaboration with INTEF. 

The Portuguese Safer Internet Centre had the opportunity to contribute to the DSA for YOUth webinar “The DSA goes to school: how teachers can help keep students safe online” that took place on 30 October 2025, and to present a glimpse of the work in the field.

The Digital Services Act (DSA) obliges large social networks to provide greater security and transparency on the internet. The Safer Internet Centre Austria provides an overview of what this means in Austria and Europe for the protection of children and young people on Instagram, TikTok and other platforms.

Every year, Child Focus observes an increase in cases related to disappearances and sexual exploitation of minors. In 2024, the organisation opened an average of five new runaway cases per day. These are five young people sending a strong signal that something is wrong in their lives. On the occasion of mental health week, Child Focus introduced a new prevention tool: the MAX-Box.

In a world that is increasingly characterised by algorithms, screens and artificial intelligence, it is more urgent than ever to prepare young people to navigate the digital world critically, consciously and safely. The CIS Digital Camp, an initiative of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre (CIS) coordinated by the Portuguese National Cybersecurity Centre (CNCS), is a bold and timely response to this challenge.